The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team's temporary home is a high school gym.

UC signed off Monday on a contract that will put the women at St. Ursula Academy for the 2017-18 season while Fifth Third Arena is undergoing an $87 million renovation, the athletic department told The Enquirer. The women's volleyball team will also play there.

St. Ursula is a college preparatory academy in Walnut Hills, less than five minutes from UC's campus. Its arena, which was renovated in 2003, seats just over 1,000 fans. Meanwhile, the UC men's basketball team will play at BB&T Arena, which is home to Northern Kentucky University's basketball teams and seats more than 9,000.

“The amenities we are bringing with us to St. Ursula will provide a strong game-day environment for our student-athletes and fans,” Athletic Director Mike Bohn told The Enquirer. "We can create a competitive advantage in there based on the size and setup."

Fans will get free admission to women’s basketball and volleyball games through the Experience UC program. UC will also work with St. Ursula on concessions specials, which will be announced closer to the start of the 2017-18 season. The smaller venue will accommodate the UC band and cheerleaders, areas for post-game and courtside live media coverage, digital signage along the court and lights above the basket.

Standout hitter Jordan Thompson (23) and coach Molly Alvey will lead the University of Cincinnati volleyball team into the NCAA Tournament this week.(Photo: Provided/University of Cincinnati)

Bohn said UC looked at many options and chose St. Ursula because it is a "terrific" facility that supports UC's enterprise and provides a home-court advantage for the Bearcats during the renovation. That renovation of Fifth Third is expected to be complete in October 2018.

“Regardless of where we play it’s going to be a challenge,” Bohn said, “but we thought this was the best fit to compete.”